2022 Excellence in Physics Education Award Recipient: Teaming Up to Change the Culture in Physics

The TEAM-UP report argued that doubling the numbers of African Americans earning bachelor’s degrees in physics and astronomy requires changing the culture in these professions. Such change cannot be accomplished by individuals, departments, or professional societies alone but requires that all work together. Moreover, the traditional approach of strategic planning is inappropriate when there is no agreement about the existence and nature of the problem to be solved, or the problem is not viewed by everyone as requiring solution.

Research in the social sciences has identified ways to drive cultural change in organizations and even across society at large. Based on studies in higher education, the TEAM-UP report provided a set of research-based recommendations on cultural change management for professional societies, departments, and individuals. Numerous projects devoted to equity, diversity, and inclusion in physics and astronomy are advancing these recommendations. This talk will provide a snapshot of research-based cultural change efforts in these fields starting with TEAM-UP.